Podcasts about ordinary time jesus

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus calls us to be transformed, to be renewed in mind and action, to look and act differently than others normally do: this theme runs through all of our readings.  Yes, we are called to be disciples of Jesus, but our mission is more than just following Jesus as a disciple.  Jesus' last words on this earth before He ascended into heaven give us our mission: “Go and make disciples”.  So we are called to not only be disciples, but missionary disciples, reaching out genuinely and in faith to others that the Lord puts in our path so that we can fulfill the mission Jesus entrusted to us: to make disciples!  The movement from a disciple to a missionary disciple is slight, but it's also powerful...and it makes all the difference!

34 Sunday Ordinary Time: Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus asks Bartimaeus today, "What do you want me to do for you?"  Bartimaeus's request is granted, he receives his sight, and he follows Jesus on the way.  Being a disciple of Jesus is being in a relationship with Jesus, and a relationship is a two-way street.  When Jesus asks us that question, we are called to respond from the depths of our heart with what we really, really want Jesus to do for us.  But as now-country artist Jelly Roll sings: do we only talk to God when we need a favor?  Are we sometimes one sided or overly self-focused in our interactions with God?  As disciples of Jesus, in a relationship with Him that is a two-way street, do we also ask the question often and frequently, "God, what do You want me to do for You?"

Message from Joshua Nolt on August 25, 2024

Jesus sent out the apostles, the twelve. In Mark's gospel, it depicts as just the twelve. But in the other gospels he sends out all his disciples. He sends all of us out to share the good news of the gospel with others. How we do that is incredibly important, but more important is that we do something to spread the good news. (Read more…)Here is my homily from the Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time. Please feel free to share with others. Finally, I will be on vacation for the next two weekends, so there will not be any homily emails during that time. Thank you for the prayers as I rest and relax.

There is something consoling about knowing when the storms will come and go. It does not take away from the fact that storms are there and they are coming and the damage that they are going to do, But it does sort of help to get ready for it. That is kind of the way it works. I find it very helpful, very consoling. (Read more…)Here is my homily from the Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time. Please feel free to share with others.

Homily - 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Jesus Begins His Public Ministry

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus ensures his disciples of the efficacy of prayer and the omportance of community. When two or more come together to pray, they must believe that the Father will hear their prayer. Recording is of a Mass offered at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY at 9:00 am on September 10, 2023.

Beth Khorey's message on “Jesus Draws Near”

Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth.” Luke 21:36This is the final day of the liturgical year. Tomorrow begins Advent and the beginning of a new Church year. On this day, we are once again presented with a Gospel passage that points to the final coming of Christ. In preparation for that day, the day in which we meet our Lord for judgment, Jesus points to two grave dangers that will cause our hearts to become “drowsy” and leave us unprepared. First, He says that “carousing and drunkenness” will make us unprepared. Second, He says that “the anxieties of daily life” will also leave us unprepared.On a literal level, carousing and drunkenness means a person relies upon alcohol for satisfaction in life, and they do so by using it to live a lively and somewhat carefree life. They live for the moment and look for satisfaction in self-indulgence. And though drunkenness is specifically mentioned here, there are numerous ways that people attempt to live this way.Everyone wants to be happy in life. We cannot not work to achieve this innate desire. No one intentionally chooses to be unhappy. However, many people regularly choose things in life that do lead to unhappiness and discontentment. But they do so with the false conviction that this or that action will satisfy. And though there are many things that provide temporary or superficial “happiness,” the truth is that there is only one thing and one thing alone that provides the happiness and fulfillment we desire. That one thing is the presence of God alive within our souls.The “anxieties of daily life” are also a great burden to so many. No one intentionally chooses to be anxious. No one wants to experience this form of interior disturbance. And though anxiety can come from many sources, physical, psychological and spiritual, one primary source of anxiety is stress that is not dealt with in a proper way. Stress can come from tensions at work, at home or within one's own soul. Stress usually occurs when some difficulty is faced and reacted to with fear, confusion, anger, despair and the like. According to Jesus, giving in to these anxieties can leave a person unprepared for the day of their judgment at the end of their life or the end of the world. But it doesn't have to be that way. Stress and tension, and the anxiety that results from them, is most decisively cured by turning from the difficulty one experiences and turning to a deep and total trust in the providence of God. At Mass, the priest prays after the “Our Father” that God “free us from all distress” and that we will instead “await the blessed hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.” Faith and hope in God and in His final coming at the end of time is the spiritual cure for the anxiety and distress we often experience in life. Trusting in our Lord, with the utmost confidence, will enable us to achieve this peaceful disposition and with joyful hope and confidence.Reflect, today, upon those things that hinder you the most from being ready to meet our Lord. Perhaps you struggle with ongoing choices that reflect a life of “carousing and drunkenness.” Or perhaps you struggle deeply with worry, distress and anxiety. If this is you, know that freedom awaits. It awaits you if you can only embrace and live the final prayer of this reflection: “Jesus, I trust in You.” Trust Him. Entrust your poor decisions in life to Him. Entrust your sin to Him. And entrust all of your worries and tensions that lead to an unsettled heart. As you do so, try to rest in the consoling arms of our Lord so that you will be fully prepared for that glorious day of our Lord's judgment that awaits. My hopeful Lord, You and You alone are the answer to every struggle in life. You and You alone can relieve me of my burdens and the poor choices I make. Help me to trust in You always and in every circumstance in life. I do entrust myself to You and choose to make You the single focus of my life. Jesus, I do trust in You! Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2023 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time - "Jesus' teaching on humility helps us to focus on God and others in our lives, live out a spiritual fatherhood, and avoid the pitfalls of selfish living."

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time - "Jesus walks on water and invites Peter to do the same. How is this possible?"

As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace–but now it is hidden from your eyes.”  Luke 19:41-42It's hard to know exactly what Jesus knew about the future of the people of Jerusalem.  But we do know, from this passage, that His knowledge made Him weep in sorrow.  Here are a few points on which to meditate.First, it's important to see the image of Jesus weeping.  To say that Jesus wept implies that this was not simply some small sadness or disappointment.  Rather, it implies a very deep sorrow that moved Him to very real tears.  So start with that image and let it sink in.Second, Jesus was weeping over Jerusalem because, as He approached and had a good view of the city, He immediately became aware of the fact that so many people would reject Him and His visit.  He came to bring them the gift of eternal salvation. Sadly, some ignored Jesus out of indifference while others were infuriated at Him and sought His death.Third, Jesus was not only weeping over Jerusalem.  He was also weeping over all people, especially those of His future family of faith.  He wept, in particular, at the lack of faith that He could see so many would have.  Jesus was keenly aware of this fact and it grieved Him deeply.  Reflect, today, upon the serious temptation we all face of being indifferent to Christ.  It's easy for us to have a little faith and to turn to God when it is to our advantage.  But it is also very easy to remain indifferent to Christ when things in life seem to be going well.  We easily fall into the trap of thinking we do not need to daily surrender to Him in the most complete way possible.  Root out any indifference to Christ today and tell Him you want to serve Him and His holy will with your whole heart.Lord, I beg of You to weed out every bit of indifference in my heart.  As You weep over my sin, may those tears wash me and cleanse me so that I may make a total commitment to You as my Divine Lord and King.  Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2022 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, “The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,' or, ‘There it is.' For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.” Luke 17:20-21The Kingdom of God is among you! What does that mean? Where is the Kingdom of God and how is it that it's among us?The Kingdom of God can be spoken of in two ways. At the final coming of Christ, at the end of time, His Kingdom will be permanent and visible to all. He will destroy all sin and evil and all will be made new. He will reign eternally and charity will govern every mind and heart. What a joyful gift to anticipate with much hope!But this passage especially refers to the Kingdom of God that is already in our midst. What is that Kingdom? It's the Kingdom present by grace living in our hearts and present to us in countless ways every day.First, Jesus longs to reign in our hearts and rule our lives. The key question is this: Do I let Him take control? He is not the sort of King who imposes Himself in a dictatorial way. He does not exercise His authority and demand we obey. Of course this will happen in the end, when Jesus returns, but for now His invitation is just that, an invitation. He invites us to give Him Kingship of our lives. He invites us to let Him take full control. If we do that, He will issue commands to us which are commands of love. They are decrees that draw us into truth and beauty. They refresh us and renew us. Second, Jesus' presence is all around us. His Kingdom is present every time charity is present. His Kingdom is present every time grace is at work. It's so easy for us to be overwhelmed by the evils of this world and to miss the presence of God. God is alive in countless ways all around us. We must always strive to see this presence, be inspired by it and love it.Reflect, today, upon the presence of the Kingdom of God present among you. Do you see it in your heart? Do you daily invite Jesus to rule your life? Do you acknowledge Him as your Lord? And do you see the ways He comes to you through your daily circumstances, in others and in your daily situations? Seek Him out constantly and this will bring joy to your heart.Lord, I invite You, today, to come reign in my heart. I give You complete control of my life. You are my Lord and my King. I love You and want to live in accord with Your perfect and holy will. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2022 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath. And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect. When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said, “Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.” He laid his hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God.  Luke 13:10-13Every miracle of Jesus is certainly an act of love given toward the person healed.  In this story, this woman was suffering for eighteen years and Jesus shows her compassion by healing her.  And though it is a clear act of love for her directly, there is much more to the story as a lesson for us.One message we can take from this story comes from the fact that Jesus heals on His own initiative.  Though some miracles are performed at the request and prayer of the one healed, this miracle comes simply through the goodness of Jesus and His compassion.  This woman apparently was not seeking a healing, but when Jesus saw her His heart went out to her and He healed her.  So it is with us, Jesus knows what we need before we ask Him.  Our duty is to always remain faithful to Him and know that in our fidelity He will give us what we need even before we ask.A second message comes from the fact that this woman “stood up straight” once she was healed.  This is a symbolic image of what grace does to us.  When God enters our life, we are able to stand up straight, so to speak.  We are able to walk with a new confidence and dignity.  We discover who we are and live freely in His grace.Reflect, today, upon these two facts.  God knows every need you have and will answer those needs when it is best for you.  Also, when He bestows His grace on you, it will enable you to live in full confidence as His son or daughter.  Lord of all grace, I surrender myself to You and trust in Your abundant mercy.  I trust that You will enable me to walk in Your ways every day of my life with full confidence.  Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2022 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”  Luke 8:21Perhaps you've wondered what it would be like to have a powerful and famous family member.  What would it be like if your sibling or a parent were the President of the United States?  Or a famous athlete?  Or some other famous person?  It probably would be the source of a certain joy and pride in a good way.At the time Jesus walked on the Earth, He was becoming quite “famous,” so to speak.  He was admired and loved and followed by many.  And as He was speaking, His mother and brothers (which would have most likely been cousins) showed up outside.  No doubt people looked at them with a certain respect and admiration and perhaps even a bit of jealousy.  How nice it would be to be Jesus' actual relative.Jesus is quite aware of the blessing of being His own kin, part of His own family.  For that reason He makes this statement as a way of inviting everyone present to see themselves as an intimate member of His family.  Sure, our Blessed Mother will always retain her unique relationship with Jesus, but Jesus wants to invite all people to share His familial bond.  How does this happen?  It happens when we “hear the Word of God and act on it.”  It's that simple.  You are invited to enter the family of Jesus in a deep, personal and profound way if you but listen to all God says and then act on it.  Though this is simple on one level, it's also true that it's a very radical move.  It's radical in the sense that it requires a total commitment to the will of God.  That's because when God speaks, His words are powerful and transforming.  And acting on His words will change our lives.Reflect, today, upon the invitation of Jesus to be a member of His intimate family.  Hear that invitation and say “Yes” to it.  And as you say “Yes” to this invitation, be ready and willing to let His voice and His divine will change your life.Lord, I accept Your invitation to become a member of Your intimate family.  May I hear Your voice speak and act upon all that You say.  Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2022 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

“Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.”  Matthew 24:42What if today is that day?!  What if you knew that today was the day our Lord would return to Earth in all His splendor and glory to judge the living and the dead?  Would you act differently?  Most likely we all would.  We'd probably contact as many people as we could and inform them of the imminent return of the Lord, go to confession and then spend the day in prayer.  But what would the ideal response be to such a question?  If, by a special revelation from God, you were made aware of the fact that today was the day the Lord would return, what would the ideal response be?  Some have suggested that the ideal response is that you go about your day as if it were any other day.  Why?  Because ideally we are all living every day as if it were our last and we are daily heeding the Scripture above.  We strive, every day, to “stay awake” and be ready for our Lord's return at any moment.  If we are truly embracing this Scripture, then it matters not if His return is today, tomorrow, next year or many years from now.  But this call to “stay awake” refers to more than just the final and glorious coming of Christ.  It also refers to every moment of every day that our Lord comes to us by grace.  It refers to every prompting of His love and mercy in our hearts and souls.  It refers to His continuous gentle whispers calling us closer to Himself.  Are you attentive to Him coming to you in these ways every day?  Are you attentive to the infinite number of ways He is seeking to enter your life more fully?  Though we do not know the day on which our Lord will come in His final victory, we do know that every day and every moment of every day is a moment of His coming by grace.  Listen for Him, be attentive, be watchful and stay awake!Lord of all grace, help me to seek Your voice and be attentive to Your presence in my life.  May I continuously be awake and ready to hear You when You call.  Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2022 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Fr. Raymond Lafontaine, 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time "Jesus' answer is not that easy... And yet, His vision of the Kingdom of God is inclusive. We are called to create a church with wide open doors where we are all invited... A supportive community that welcomes Jesus' desire to share in our challenges and that help us grow in discipline and trust in our loving God."

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus warns the crowd to guard against the constant urge to acquire more stuff because this habit distracts one from acquiring true riches. Recording is of a Mass offered at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY at 9:00 am on July 31, 2022.

First ReadingGENESIS 18:20-3220Then the LORD said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomor'rah is great and their sin is very grave, 21I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry which has come to me; and if not, I will know." 22So the men turned from there, and went toward Sodom; but Abraham still stood before the LORD. 23Then Abraham drew near, and said, "Wilt thou indeed destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; wilt thou then destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? 25Far be it from thee to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from thee! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" 26And the LORD said, "If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake." 27Abraham answered, "Behold, I have taken upon myself to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. 28Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking? Wilt thou destroy the whole city for lack of five?" And he said, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there." 29Again he spoke to him, and said, "Suppose forty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of forty I will not do it." 30Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there." He answered, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." 31He said, "Behold, I have taken upon myself to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it." 32Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there." He answered, "For the sake of ten I will not destroy it."GospelLUKE 11:1-131He was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." 2And he said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. 3Give us each day our daily bread; 4and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive every one who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation." 5And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, `Friend, lend me three loaves; 6for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; 7and he will answer from within, `Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything'? 8I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9And I tell you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Homily from February 27, 2022, Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus said, “From the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.”

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”  Mark 8:11-12Jesus “sighed from the depth of His spirit.”  It is clear this was no ordinary sigh.  It was a sigh that was more than emotion.  It was from the “depth of His spirit.”  What was going on with Jesus?This sigh reveals a pain and suffering in Jesus that was spiritual in nature.  It was a pain and suffering that came as a result of being rejected by others.  But it wasn't just that He was hurt or offended, because He wasn't.  The suffering He felt was from His love.  It came as a result of Him loving the Pharisees deeply and realizing that they were rejecting the grace He wanted to offer them.  This hurt not because Jesus was sensitive to being hurt; rather, it hurt because of His boundless love for them.It's interesting that we rarely think of Jesus' love for the Pharisees.  Often, we only think of Him being harsh to them and condemning them.  But every strong word He directed toward them was aimed at converting them out of love.  It was an attempt, on His part, to shake them out of their indifference and rejection of grace.  It was an act of love.Reflect, today, upon the “Pharisees” in your life.  Perhaps you do not encounter those who are proud or haughty, or maybe you do.  The Pharisees in your life are those who reject the free gift of love you try to offer.  They are those who are so hurt, confused or bitter that they find it very hard to let love in.  They throw up every sort of defense there is to avoid letting your love in.  And when you see this rejection, it hurts.  It may then tempt you to have anger or condemnation.But how should you react?  You should do as Jesus did!  You should sigh, and “sigh deeply.”  You should feel the hurt of their rejection and feel holy sorrow for them.  At times, you may need to confront them as Jesus did.  But never out of your wounded pride.  You should confront only because you judge that it's the best way to win them over.  You will know that this is an act of love when you feel that deep sigh within your spirit.Loving Lord, help me to love with a pure and holy love.  Help me to feel a holy sorrow over my sins and the sins of others when I encounter their sins.  Let that holy sorrow compel me to love more deeply.  Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2022 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Join Catholic evangelist and bible teacher, Hector Molina as he explores the Mass Readings for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C.Mass Readings:Jer 1:4-5, 17-19Responsorial Psalm: 71Lk 4:21-30"A Walk in The Word" podcast is a weekly bible study and reflection on the Sunday Mass readings led by International Catholic evangelist and bible teacher, Hector Molina.WATCH: View this video version of this podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/hectormolinacatholicevangelistSUPPORT:  Become a Patron & Co-Producer of A Walk in The Wordhttps://www.patreon.com/hectormolina/

Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught.  The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.  Mark 1:21-22As we enter into this First Week in Ordinary Time, we are given the image of Jesus teaching in the synagogue.  And as He teaches, it's clear that there is something special about Him.  He is one who teaches with a new authority.  This statement in Mark's Gospel contrasts Jesus with the scribes who apparently teach without this unmistakable authority.  This statement should not go unnoticed.Jesus exercised His authority in His teaching not so much because He wanted to, but because He had to.  This is who He is.  He is God and when He speaks He speaks with the authority of God.  He speaks in such a way that people know His words have transforming meaning.  His words effect change in people's lives.  This should invite each one of us to reflect upon the authority of Jesus in our lives.  Do you notice His authority spoken to you?  Do you see His words, spoken in Sacred Scripture, having an effect upon your life?  Reflect, today, upon this image of Jesus teaching in the synagogue.  Know that the “synagogue” represents your own soul and that Jesus desires to be there speaking to you with authority.  Let His words sink in and change your life.My authoritative Lord, I open myself to You and Your voice of authority.  Help me to allow You to speak with clarity and truth.  As You do, help me to be open to allowing You to change my life.  Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2022 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth.” Luke 21:36This is the final day of the liturgical year. Tomorrow begins Advent and the beginning of a new Church year. On this day, we are once again presented with a Gospel passage that points to the final coming of Christ. In preparation for that day, the day in which we meet our Lord for judgment, Jesus points to two grave dangers that will cause our hearts to become “drowsy” and leave us unprepared. First, He says that “carousing and drunkenness” will make us unprepared. Second, He says that “the anxieties of daily life” will also leave us unprepared.On a literal level, carousing and drunkenness means a person relies upon alcohol for satisfaction in life, and they do so by using it to live a lively and somewhat carefree life. They live for the moment and look for satisfaction in self-indulgence. And though drunkenness is specifically mentioned here, there are numerous ways that people attempt to live this way.Everyone wants to be happy in life. We cannot not work to achieve this innate desire. No one intentionally chooses to be unhappy. However, many people regularly choose things in life that do lead to unhappiness and discontentment. But they do so with the false conviction that this or that action will satisfy. And though there are many things that provide temporary or superficial “happiness,” the truth is that there is only one thing and one thing alone that provides the happiness and fulfillment we desire. That one thing is the presence of God alive within our souls.The “anxieties of daily life” are also a great burden to so many. No one intentionally chooses to be anxious. No one wants to experience this form of interior disturbance. And though anxiety can come from many sources, physical, psychological and spiritual, one primary source of anxiety is stress that is not dealt with in a proper way. Stress can come from tensions at work, at home or within one's own soul. Stress usually occurs when some difficulty is faced and reacted to with fear, confusion, anger, despair and the like. According to Jesus, giving in to these anxieties can leave a person unprepared for the day of their judgment at the end of their life or the end of the world. But it doesn't have to be that way. Stress and tension, and the anxiety that results from them, is most decisively cured by turning from the difficulty one experiences and turning to a deep and total trust in the providence of God. At Mass, the priest prays after the “Our Father” that God “free us from all distress” and that we will instead “await the blessed hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.” Faith and hope in God and in His final coming at the end of time is the spiritual cure for the anxiety and distress we often experience in life. Trusting in our Lord, with the utmost confidence, will enable us to achieve this peaceful disposition and with joyful hope and confidence.Reflect, today, upon those things that hinder you the most from being ready to meet our Lord. Perhaps you struggle with ongoing choices that reflect a life of “carousing and drunkenness.” Or perhaps you struggle deeply with worry, distress and anxiety. If this is you, know that freedom awaits. It awaits you if you can only embrace and live the final prayer of this reflection: “Jesus, I trust in You.” Trust Him. Entrust your poor decisions in life to Him. Entrust your sin to Him. And entrust all of your worries and tensions that lead to an unsettled heart. As you do so, try to rest in the consoling arms of our Lord so that you will be fully prepared for that glorious day of our Lord's judgment that awaits.My hopeful Lord, You and You alone are the answer to every struggle in life. You and You alone can relieve me of my burdens and the poor choices I make. Help me to trust in You always and in every circumstance in life. I do entrust myself to You and choose to make You the single focus of my life. Jesus, I do trust in You!Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2021 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus reminds his followers that their mission is to watch constantly for his coming, that is, to live like he will come back this evening, or this midnight, or dawn tomorrow, or tomorrow morning ... Recording is of a Mass offered at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY at 12:00 pm on November14, 2021.

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus' linking of the two commandments leads the scribe to realize that love of God, which entails incarnating God's concern for people, is more important than the correct performance of long-standing liturgical rituals. Recording is of a Mass offered at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY at 12:00 pm on October 31, 2021.

Homily from October 25, 2021, Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.”

Join Catholic evangelist and bible teacher, Hector Molina as he explores the Mass Readings for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time.Mass Readings:Jer 31:7-9Psalm 126Mk 10:46-52"A Walk in The Word" podcast is a weekly bible study and reflection on the Sunday Mass readings led by International Catholic evangelist and bible teacher, Hector Molina.View this video version of this podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/hectormolinacatholicevangelistBecome a Patron today and help us spread the Gospel: https://www.patreon.com/hectormolina/

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus' humble deference to the will of others trained him for his final act of service on the cross. His entire life of voluntary servitude is the ransom that he paid to humankind from captivity to sin.  Disciples who seek greatness will make themselves the servant of others because that is what he did. Recording is of a Mass offered at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY at 12:00 pm on October 17, 2021.

Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus teaches about the danger of earthly riches. He declares that wealth "is" ... he does not say "can be," but "is" ... an enormous obstacle to entry into God's kingdom. Recording is of a Mass offered at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY at 4:30 pm on October 9, 2021.

In today's Gospel, a young man goes to Jesus and asks him how he can achieve eternal life. Jesus inquires if he is keeping the Commandments, and the young man assures him that he is. The young man is desiring more from his relationship with God. So Jesus looks at him, loves him, and shows him what is lacking in his heart and thus an obstacle to divine life: He is attached to his possessions. If we want an intimate relationship with Jesus, we must not only keep the Commandments and follow the precepts of the Church -- which constitute the foundation of our life with God -- but there must also be nothing in our heart competing with God for first place. When Jesus identifies an attachment in our heart that inhibits our relationship with him, he will attach that attachment with the relentlessness of a jealous lover.

Join Catholic evangelist and bible teacher, Hector Molina as he explores the Mass Readings for the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time.Mass Readings:Wis 7:7-11Psalm 90Mk 10:17-30"A Walk in The Word" podcast is a weekly bible study and reflection on the Sunday Mass readings led by International Catholic evangelist and bible teacher, Hector Molina.View this video version of this podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/hectormolinacatholicevangelistBecome a Patron today and help us spread the Gospel: https://www.patreon.com/hectormolina/

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus is indignant or angry that his followers keep the children from him, that they decide whom he should welcome. Jesus declares that children, who depend on others for life's necessities and simply accept what is given to them, are models for how to receive and experience life in God's kingdom. Recording is of a Mass offered at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY at 4:30 pm on October 2, 2021.

Join Catholic evangelist and bible teacher, Hector Molina as he explores the Mass Readings for the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time.Mass Readings:Gn 2:18-24Psalm 128Mk 10:2-16"A Walk in The Word" podcast is a weekly bible study and reflection on the Sunday Mass readings led by International Catholic evangelist and bible teacher, Hector Molina.View this video version of this podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/hectormolinacatholicevangelistBecome a Patron today and help us spread the Gospel: https://www.patreon.com/hectormolina/

Join Catholic evangelist and bible teacher, Hector Molina as he explores the Mass Readings for the Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time.Mass Readings:Num 11:25-29Psalm 19Mk 9:38-48"A Walk in The Word" podcast is a weekly bible study and reflection on the Sunday Mass readings led by International Catholic evangelist and bible teacher, Hector Molina.View this video version of this podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/hectormolinacatholicevangelistBecome a Patron today and help us spread the Gospel: https://www.patreon.com/hectormolina/

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus orders those that witness the event to not tell anyone.  . Some scholars suggest that Jesus' command to silence shows that he is not one among other healers in the biblical world. The secret is that there is more to him than people see, more that can only be understood after he is raised from the dead. Recording is of a Mass offered at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY at 10:03 am on September 5, 2021.

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus' disciples must aim to lose their life in his risen life, so that he can continue him mission on earth through them. Disciples "give" their bodies over to all that is "ruining" it so that the risen Lord can work through them. Recording is of a Mass offered at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY at 9:00 am on September 12, 2021.

Join Catholic evangelist and bible teacher, Hector Molina as he explores the Mass Readings for the Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time.Mass Readings:Is 35:4-7aPsalm 146Mk 7:31-37"A Walk in The Word" podcast is a weekly bible study and reflection on the Sunday Mass readings led by International Catholic evangelist and bible teacher, Hector Molina.View this video version of this podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/hectormolinacatholicevangelistBecome a Patron today and help us spread the Gospel: https://www.patreon.com/hectormolina/

Join Catholic evangelist and bible teacher, Hector Molina as he explores the Mass Readings for the Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time.Mass Readings:Dt 4:1-2, 6-8Psalm 15Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23"A Walk in The Word" podcast is a weekly bible study and reflection on the Sunday Mass readings led by International Catholic evangelist and bible teacher, Hector Molina.View this video version of this podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/hectormolinacatholicevangelistBecome a Patron today and help us spread the Gospel: https://www.patreon.com/hectormolina/

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus tells the crowds that nothing from the world around them can make them unworthy of God's service. Only what comes from within them can do this.. Recording is of a Mass offered at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY at 12:00 pm on August 29, 2021.

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time - "Jesus as the Bread of Life makes himself accessible to us if we see him with the eyes of faith."

Homily for August 1, 2021, Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus is the true bread from heaven.

Homily for July 25, 2021, the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus gives us communion.

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus does not give us barley, He gives us Himself, and He gives Himself to all who come forward and say, “I hunger and thirst.” Jesus hungers for you. “There is a famine today that is raging across this great land of ours. There is a deep hunger and thirst […] The post Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – July 25, 2021 – Bread of Life Bible Study appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus recites a proverb that we still hear today. Further, we are told that Jesus could do no miracles there, not because his power was diminished, but because of the crowd's lack of faith. Recording is of a Mass offered at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY at 12:00 pm on July 4, 2021.

Homily for July 11, 2021, Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus summons his disciples and sends them out.

Homily for July 4, 2021, Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus was amazed by their lack of faith.

Homily Sunday 2/7/21 5th Sunday Of Ordinary Time: Jesus was busy by Fr. Mike Casey

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus heals a man suffering from leprosy.  The man broadcasts his healing far and wide.  That broadcast may have had a missionary purpose. Not only did it serve to draw more and more people to Jesus, but it demonstrated that there was much work to be done in restoring creation to its original sinless beauty. Recording is of a Mass offered at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY at 10:00 am on February 14, 2021.

Homily for February 14, 2021, Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus says, “I desire it. Be made clean!”

Reading from Leviticus "The leper will dwell apart, making abode outside the camp". 13:1-2,44-46. Psalm 32 I" turn to you Lord in The Times of trouble and you fill me with the joy of salvation". The Gospel according to Saint Mark 1:40-45 If you will. You can make me clean. When we find ourselves apart from God we are lost . --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ned-jabbar/message

Homily for February 7, 2021, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus knows about our suffering and responds to it. He brings salvation from sin and its effects.

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus heals a man possessed with an unclean spirit.  By his actions, Jesus teaches the fundamentals of God's Kingdom.  The people may not understand precisely who Jesus is, but they see for themselves that the coming of the Kingdom is at hand. Recording is of a Mass offered at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY at 10:00 am on January 31, 2021.

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus talks longest about the servant with the fewest talents because most Christians are like him. He wants to jar these believers out of their complacency before it's too late, to persuade them to do the work for the kingdom that he assigns them. Recording is of a Mass offered at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY at 10:00 am on November 15, 2020.

As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace–but now it is hidden from your eyes.”  Luke 19:41-42It’s hard to know exactly what Jesus knew about the future of the people of Jerusalem.  But we do know, from this passage, that His knowledge made Him weep in sorrow.  Here are a few points on which to meditate.First, it’s important to see the image of Jesus weeping.  To say that Jesus wept implies that this was not simply some small sadness or disappointment.  Rather, it implies a very deep sorrow that moved Him to very real tears.  So start with that image and let it sink in.Second, Jesus was weeping over Jerusalem because, as He approached and had a good view of the city, He immediately became aware of the fact that so many people would reject Him and His visit.  He came to bring them the gift of eternal salvation. Sadly, some ignored Jesus out of indifference while others were infuriated at Him and sought His death.Third, Jesus was not only weeping over Jerusalem.  He was also weeping over all people, especially those of His future family of faith.  He wept, in particular, at the lack of faith that He could see so many would have.  Jesus was keenly aware of this fact and it grieved Him deeply.  Reflect, today, upon the serious temptation we all face of being indifferent to Christ.  It’s easy for us to have a little faith and to turn to God when it is to our advantage.  But it is also very easy to remain indifferent to Christ when things in life seem to be going well.  We easily fall into the trap of thinking we do not need to daily surrender to Him in the most complete way possible.  Root out any indifference to Christ today and tell Him you want to serve Him and His holy will with your whole heart.Lord, I beg of You to weed out every bit of indifference in my heart.  As You weep over my sin, may those tears wash me and cleanse me so that I may make a total commitment to You as my Divine Lord and King.  Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2020 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, “The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.”  Luke 17:20-21The Kingdom of God is among you!  What does that mean?  Where is the Kingdom of God and how is it that it’s among us?The Kingdom of God can be spoken of in two ways.  At the final coming of Christ, at the end of time, His Kingdom will be permanent and visible to all.  He will destroy all sin and evil and all will be made new.  He will reign eternally and charity will govern every mind and heart.  What a joyful gift to anticipate with much hope!But this passage especially refers to the Kingdom of God that is already in our midst.  What is that Kingdom?  It’s the Kingdom present by grace living in our hearts and present to us in countless ways every day.First, Jesus longs to reign in our hearts and rule our lives.  The key question is this: Do I let Him take control?  He is not the sort of King who imposes Himself in a dictatorial way.  He does not exercise His authority and demand we obey.  Of course this will happen in the end, when Jesus returns, but for now His invitation is just that, an invitation.  He invites us to give Him Kingship of our lives.  He invites us to let Him take full control.  If we do that, He will issue commands to us which are commands of love.  They are decrees that draw us into truth and beauty.  They refresh us and renew us.  Second, Jesus’ presence is all around us.  His Kingdom is present every time charity is present.  His Kingdom is present every time grace is at work.  It’s so easy for us to be overwhelmed by the evils of this world and to miss the presence of God.  God is alive in countless ways all around us.  We must always strive to see this presence, be inspired by it and love it.Reflect, today, upon the presence of the Kingdom of God present among you.  Do you see it in your heart?  Do you daily invite Jesus to rule your life?  Do you acknowledge Him as your Lord?  And do you see the ways He comes to you through your daily circumstances or in others and in your daily situations?  Seek Him out constantly and this will bring joy to your heart.Lord, I invite You, today, to come reign in my heart.  I give You complete control of my life.  You are my Lord and my King.  I love You and want to live in accord with Your perfect and holy will.  Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2020 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

30th. Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus' response to this question combines two Old Testament laws which require active loving. Recording is of a Mass offered at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY at 10:00 am on October 25, 2020.

Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath. And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect. When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said, “Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.” He laid his hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God.  Luke 13:10-13Every miracle of Jesus is certainly an act of love given toward the person healed.  In this story, this woman was suffering for eighteen years and Jesus shows her compassion by healing her.  And though it is a clear act of love for her directly, there is much more to the story as a lesson for us.One message we can take from this story comes from the fact that Jesus heals on His own initiative.  Though some miracles are performed at the request and prayer of the one healed, this miracle comes simply through the goodness of Jesus and His compassion.  This woman apparently was not seeking a healing, but when Jesus saw her His heart went out to her and He healed her.  So it is with us, Jesus knows what we need before we ask Him.  Our duty is to always remain faithful to Him and know that in our fidelity He will give us what we need even before we ask.A second message comes from the fact that this woman “stood up straight” once she was healed.  This is a symbolic image of what grace does to us.  When God enters our life, we are able to stand up straight, so to speak.  We are able to walk with a new confidence and dignity.  We discover who we are and live freely in His grace.Reflect, today, upon these two facts.  God knows every need you have and will answer those needs when it is best for you.  Also, when He bestows His grace on you, it will enable you to live in full confidence as His son or daughter.  Lord, I surrender myself to You and trust in Your abundant mercy.  I trust that You will enable me to walk in Your ways every day of my life with full confidence.  Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2020 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”  Luke 8:21Perhaps you’ve wondered what it would be like to have a powerful and famous family member.  What would it be like if your sibling or a parent were the President of the United States?  Or a famous athlete?  Or some other famous person?  It probably would be the source of a certain joy and pride in a good way.At the time Jesus walked on the Earth, He was becoming quite “famous,” so to speak.  He was admired and loved and followed by many.  And as He was speaking, His mother and brothers (which would have most likely been cousins) showed up outside.  No doubt people looked at them with a certain respect and admiration and perhaps even a bit of jealousy.  How nice it would be to be Jesus’ actual relative.Jesus is quite aware of the blessing of being His own kin, part of His own family.  For that reason He makes this statement as a way of inviting everyone present to see themselves as an intimate member of His family.  Sure, our Blessed Mother will always retain her unique relationship with Jesus, but Jesus wants to invite all people to share His familial bond.  How does this happen?  It happens when we “hear the Word of God and act on it.”  It’s that simple.  You are invited to enter the family of Jesus in a deep, personal and profound way if you but listen to all God says and then act on it.  Though this is simple on one level, it’s also true that it’s a very radical move.  It’s radical in the sense that it requires a total commitment to the will of God.  That’s because when God speaks, His words are powerful and transforming.  And acting on His words will change our lives.Reflect, today, upon the invitation of Jesus to be a member of His intimate family.  Hear that invitation and say “Yes” to it.  And as you say “Yes” to this invitation, be ready and willing to let His voice and His divine will change your life.Lord, I accept Your invitation to become a member of Your intimate family.  May I hear Your voice speak and act upon all that You say.  Jesus, I trust in You.“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”  Luke 8:21Perhaps you’ve wondered what it would be like to have a powerful and famous family member.  What would it be like if your sibling or a parent were the President of the United States?  Or a famous athlete?  Or some other famous person?  It probably would be the source of a certain joy and pride in a good way.At the time Jesus walked on the Earth, He was becoming quite “famous,” so to speak.  He was admired and loved and followed by many.  And as He was speaking, His mother and brothers (which would have most likely been cousins) showed up outside.  No doubt people looked at them with a certain respect and admiration and perhaps even a bit of jealousy.  How nice it would be to be Jesus’ actual relative.Jesus is quite aware of the blessing of being His own kin, part of His own family.  For that reason He makes this statement as a way of inviting everyone present to see themselves as an intimate member of His family.  Sure, our Blessed Mother will always retain her unique relationship with Jesus, but Jesus wants to invite all people to share His familial bond.  How does this happen?  It happens when we “hear the Word of God and act on it.”  It’s that simple.  You are invited to enter the family of Jesus in a deep, personal and profound way if you but listen to all God says and then act on it.  Though this is simple on one level, it’s also true that it’s a very radical move.  It’s radical in the sense that it requires a total commitment to the will of God.  That’s because when God speaks, His words are powerful and transforming.  And acting on His words will change our lives.Reflect, today, upon the invitation of Jesus to be a member of His intimate family.  Hear that invitation and say “Yes” to it.  And as you say “Yes” to this invitation, be ready and willing to let His voice and His divine will change your life.Lord, I accept Your invitation to become a member of Your intimate family.  May I hear Your voice speak and act upon all that You say.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Nativity BVM Cathedral  - September 13, 2020

“Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.”  Matthew 24:42What if today is that day?!  What if you knew that today was the day our Lord would return to Earth in all His splendor and glory to judge the living and the dead?  Would you act differently?  Most likely we all would.  We’d probably contact as many people as we could and inform them of the imminent return of the Lord, go to confession and then spend the day in prayer.  But what would the ideal response be to such a question?  If, by a special revelation from God, you were made aware of the fact that today was the day the Lord would return, what would the ideal response be?  Some have suggested that the ideal response is that you go about your day as if it were any other day.  Why?  Because ideally we are all living every day as if it were our last and we are daily heeding the Scripture above.  We strive, every day, to “stay awake” and be ready for our Lord’s return at any moment.  If we are truly embracing this Scripture, then it matters not if His return is today, tomorrow, next year or many years from now.  But this call to “stay awake” refers to more than just the final and glorious coming of Christ.  It also refers to every moment of every day that our Lord comes to us by grace.  It refers to every prompting of His love and mercy in our hearts and souls.  It refers to His continuous gentle whispers calling us closer to Himself.  Are you attentive to Him coming to you in these ways every day?  Are you attentive to the infinite number of ways He is seeking to enter your life more fully?  Though we do not know the day on which our Lord will come in His final victory, we do know that every day and every moment of every day is a moment of His coming by grace.  Listen for Him, be attentive, be watchful and stay awake!Lord, help me to seek Your voice and be attentive to Your presence in my life.  May I continuously be awake and ready to hear You when You call.  Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2020 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

21st. Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus gives Peter the keys to the kingdom, the sign of his authority over God's household and of his position as steward of its resources. Recording is of a Mass offered at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY at 8:00 am on August 23, 2020.

20th Sunday of Ordinary Time - "Jesus and the one truth, what it means for us and how we live it as people of faith."

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus comes to the disciples today walking on the water - that's a Big Moment, a miraculous moment, one that's hard to miss, and it strengthens their faith.  Elijah is told in our 1st reading that the Lord will be passing by: there is a great wind, a tremendous earthquake, a blazing fire, and yet, Scripture says, God was in none of those seemingly big moments.  Rather, God was in a tiny, whispering voice - a Small Moment, so small it could be easily missed, but just as real as a Big Moment...and I would say even more important!  God's ordinary language is in Small Moments, countless little whispers to us throughout the day.  He gives us a few privileged Big Moments precisely so that we will continue looking and listening for Him in the hundreds of Small Moments every day.

18th. Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus' simple supper that nourishes roughly ten thousand people presents Him as the Lord who in earlier times provided food for those in need through Moses, Elijah, and Elisha.  In other words, in this Gospel, the evangelist shows that Jesus is divine. Recording is of a Mass offered at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY at 8:00 am on August 2, 2020.

17th. Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus sets out three parables. At the end he asks his disciples if they understand the messages from each. He is trying to reinforce that they need to ponder and study his teachings in order to see how they can put them into practice.   Recording is of a Mass offered at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on July 26, 2020.

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus teaches on what to fear by having the disciples imagine when each of them will stand before the Father.  What Jesus will say about us depends on how faithful we are daily to the unique mission for which God formed us in the womb.   Recording is of a Mass offered at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on June 21, 2020 at 10:00 am.

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”  Mark 8:11-12Jesus “sighed from the depth of His spirit.”  It is clear this was no ordinary sigh.  It was a sigh that was more than emotion.  It was from the “depth of His spirit.”  What was going on with Jesus?This sigh reveals a pain and suffering in Jesus that was spiritual in nature.  It was a pain and suffering that came as a result of being rejected by others.  But it wasn’t just that He was hurt or offended, because He wasn’t.  The suffering He felt was from His love.  It came as a result of Him loving the Pharisees deeply and realizing that they were rejecting the grace He wanted to offer them.  This hurt not because Jesus was sensitive to being hurt; rather, it hurt because of His boundless love for them.It’s interesting that we rarely think of Jesus’ love for the Pharisees.  Often, we only think of Him being harsh to them and condemning them.  But every strong word He directed toward them was aimed at converting them out of love.  It was an attempt, on His part, to shake them out of their indifference and rejection of grace.  It was an act of love.Reflect, today, upon the “Pharisees” in your life.  Perhaps you do not encounter those who are proud or haughty, or maybe you do.  The Pharisees in your life are those who reject the free gift of love you try to offer.  They are those who are so hurt, confused or bitter that they find it very hard to let love in.  They throw up every sort of defense there is to avoid letting your love in.  And when you see this rejection, it hurts.  It may then tempt you to have anger or condemnation.But how should you react?  You should do as Jesus did!  You should sigh, and “sigh deeply.”  You should feel the hurt of their rejection and feel holy sorrow for them.  At times, you may need to confront them as Jesus did.  But never out of your wounded pride.  You should confront only because you judge that it’s the best way to win them over.  You will know that this is an act of love when you feel that deep sigh within your spirit.Lord, help me to love with a pure and holy love.  Help me to feel a holy sorrow over my sins and the sins of others when I encounter their sins.  Let that holy sorrow compel me to love more deeply.  Jesus, I trust in You.Source: catholic-daily-reflections.com

As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace–but now it is hidden from your eyes.”  Luke 19:41-42It’s hard to know exactly what Jesus knew about the future of the people of Jerusalem.  But we do know, from this passage, that His knowledge made Him weep in sorrow.  Here are a few points on which to meditate.First, it’s important to see the image of Jesus weeping.  To say that Jesus wept implies that this was not simply some small sadness or disappointment.  Rather, it implies a very deep sorrow that moved Him to very real tears.  So start with that image and let it sink in.Second, Jesus was weeping over Jerusalem because, as He approached and had a good view of the city, He immediately became aware of the fact that so many people would reject Him and His visit.  He came to bring them the gift of eternal salvation. Sadly, some ignored Jesus out of indifference while others were infuriated at Him and sought His death.Third, Jesus was not only weeping over Jerusalem.  He was also weeping over all people, especially those of His future family of faith.  He wept, in particular, at the lack of faith that He could see so many would have.  Jesus was keenly aware of this fact and it grieved Him deeply. Reflect, today, upon the serious temptation we all face of being indifferent to Christ.  It’s easy for us to have a little faith and to turn to God when it is to our advantage.  But it is also very easy to remain indifferent to Christ when things in life seem to be going well.  We easily fall into the trap of thinking we do not need to daily surrender to Him in the most complete way possible.  Root out any indifference to Christ today and tell Him you want to serve Him and His holy will with your whole heart.Lord, I beg of You to weed out every bit of indifference in my heart.  As You weep over my sin, may those tears wash me and cleanse me so that I may make a total commitment to You as my Divine Lord and King.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, “The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.”  Luke 17:20-21The Kingdom of God is among you!  What does that mean?  Where is the Kingdom of God and how is it that it’s among us?The Kingdom of God can be spoken of in two ways.  At the final coming of Christ, at the end of time, His Kingdom will be permanent and visible to all.  He will destroy all sin and evil and all will be made new.  He will reign eternally and charity will govern every mind and heart.  What a joyful gift to anticipate with much hope!But this passage especially refers to the Kingdom of God that is already in our midst.  What is that Kingdom?  It’s the Kingdom present by grace living in our hearts and present to us in countless ways every day.First, Jesus longs to reign in our hearts and rule our lives.  The key question is this: Do I let Him take control?  He is not the sort of King who imposes Himself in a dictatorial way.  He does not exercise His authority and demand we obey.  Of course this will happen in the end, when Jesus returns, but for now His invitation is just that, an invitation.  He invites us to give Him Kingship of our lives.  He invites us to let Him take full control.  If we do that, He will issue commands to us which are commands of love.  They are decrees that draw us into truth and beauty.  They refresh us and renew us. Second, Jesus’ presence is all around us.  His Kingdom is present every time charity is present.  His Kingdom is present every time grace is at work.  It’s so easy for us to be overwhelmed by the evils of this world and to miss the presence of God.  God is alive in countless ways all around us.  We must always strive to see this presence, be inspired by it and love it.Reflect, today, upon the presence of the Kingdom of God present among you.  Do you see it in your heart?  Do you daily invite Jesus to rule your life?  Do you acknowledge Him as your Lord?  And do you see the ways He comes to you through your daily circumstances or in others and in your daily situations?  Seek Him out constantly and this will bring joy to your heart.Lord, I invite You, today, to come reign in my heart.  I give You complete control of my life.  You are my Lord and my King.  I love You and want to live in accord with Your perfect and holy will.  Jesus, I trust in You.

When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick.  Matthew 14:13-14Humanly speaking, Jesus’ heart was grieved by the death of John the Baptist.  He loved John and was deeply saddened by his beheading.  So He withdrew in a boat to a deserted place alone.  But the crowds were hungry for more!  They wanted to see Jesus and listen to Him.  They knew many who were ill and wanted Jesus to heal them.  So they sought Him out despite the fact that He had withdrawn from the crowd to be alone.What was Jesus’ reaction?  Did He look at them and sigh saying to Himself, “Why don’t they leave me alone.  Don’t they know I am grieving?”  No.  Instead, Jesus was filled with mercy and compassion for them and He went to them to heal many of their sick.This gives us insight into the heart and compassion of our Lord.  Many times, we are afraid to go to God.  We are afraid to turn to Him because of our sin.  We are afraid of what He will think and say to us.  We feel guilty and ashamed and, as a result, fail to seek Him out.But just as Jesus had compassion for those who sought Him out in this story, so also He will ALWAYS have the deepest of compassion for us every time we seek Him out.  If we find our lives steeped in sin, but run to Him anyway, He will look at us with compassion and mercy.  He never tires of us returning to Him, seeking His healing and mercy.  We should always have hope in Him and turn to Him with the greatest confidence.Reflect, today, upon how comfortable you are in turning to Jesus just as you are.  Are you afraid or worried about what He thinks of you?  Are you ashamed of your sin or weakness?  Do you worry He will judge you and not care?  Have confidence in His abundance of mercy and run to Him without fear.Lord, help me to trust in Your love and compassion.  Help me to know that You always long for me to come to You.  As You never tire of me coming to You, may I never tire of coming to You.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Today’s Homily. Please listen, comment, and share! God be with you!

Homily from today: Jesus is not a dorito. Listen. Pray. Share. Comment. God be with you! Fr Zach

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time: "Jesus tells us to love God, neighbor, and self. What does love mean and how do we do it?"

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus brings his disciples to a great pagan temple today with hundreds of niches housing the statues of all kinds of different gods.  With all these other gods in the background, Jesus asks his disciples, point-blank, "Who do you say that I am?"  Most of us have been taught since we were young to answer,"Jesus is God, the Christ."  While we might know the right words, our daily  actions and decisions also speak on our behalf about who Jesus is to us.  In the busy-ness of our lives, does Jesus ever become for us just another concern among all the many others?  Does Jesus fade into the background and fill another niche?  (I know that's a tendency for me).  Or do our thoughts, decisions, and actions invite Jesus to stand front and center in our lives by proclaiming, "You are the Christ, the Son of God!"?

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus comes to the disciples today walking on the water - that's a Big Moment, a miraculous moment, one that's hard to miss, and it strengthens their faith.  Elijah is told in our 1st reading that the Lord will be passing by: there is a great wind, a tremendous earthquake, a blazing fire, and yet, Scripture says, God was in none of those seemingly big moments.  Rather, God was in a tiny, whispering voice - a Small Moment, so small it could be easily missed, but just as real as a Big Moment...and I would say even more important!  God's ordinary language is in Small Moments, countless little whispers to us throughout the day.  He gives us a few privileged Big Moments precisely so that we will continue looking and listening for Him in the hundreds of Small Moments every day.

Sermon from the third Sunday after Pentecost. Ordinary Time. Sermon Text: Matthew 10:24-39

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus tells us in our Gospel this week not to be anxious about food, clothing, or tomorrow.  There are so many things in life that we worry about...is it really that easy to just stop worrying?  We worry when we feel alone, but Jesus challenges us this Sunday to "seek first the kingdom of God."  We are made, as humans, for deep, rich relationships.  When we seek a deep and rich relationship with God first (and then seek to honor the other relationships in our lives next), then all these things that used to cause us worry just won't worry us anymore. This Lent, don't just give up chocolate or sweets, add something to your life in these amazing 40 days to bring you closer in your relationship with Jesus.  A resource you may find helpful: BestLentEver.com  

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time: "Jesus says we need to pray for our enemies and love those who persecute us. This is a difficult teaching. Why would we want to do that and how can we do that? This is what we will explore."

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time: "Jesus calls a series of different groups blessed but it seems odd by today's standards. How can a poor, mourning, meek, hungry, merciful, pure of heart peacemaker who is persecuted possibly be blessed? Well, we need to look at life more realistically and comprehensively."

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: "Jesus defeats our defeatedness if we give him the opportunity. How can we listen and do what he calls us to?"

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time: "Jesus tells a parable about the persistent widow. There is a reason. Persistent prayer and action forms the basis for a life of faith."

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus humorously encourages us today to be like a nagging, old woman when we come to prayer - that means to pray always, again and again, bother the Father!  God wants us to come to Him time and again not because He forgets or is unaware of our needs, but because the more face time we have with Him, the deeper our relationship grows.  3 practices that will make "pray always" a reality: spend the first 10 minutes of each day with the Lord, offer different hours during the day for others (like Moses, your prayers will help someone win battles in their life), and find a good friend to share how your resolutions are affecting your life, and vice-versa.

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time: "Jesus tells a parable about a crook. Instead of condemning him, he points out a compliment. Why?"